CUET students to observe ‘shutdown’ on Monday

Students of Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) would observe a “one-day shutdown” on campus on Monday, in protest against the “execution of routine duties of the vice-chancellor” by a faculty member.

Last Sunday, the students withdrew the first iteration of their “shutdown movement” after more than a month.

The students, teachers and officers of the university launched protests on 22 September, demanding the reinstatement of previous vice chancellor, Prof Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem, who was removed a day earlier by the government without any “specific reason.”

The students demanded the resignation of the newly appointed VC Prof Sheikh Shariful Alam, and asked for the return of Prof Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem, who they said was no less competent.

On 25 September, the protesters halted their movement – as the new VC was out of campus, seeking treatment for deteriorating health, after a group of students had confined him to a building for around 30 hours.

However, on Sunday, Prof Shariful Alam instructed Prof Kazi Delwar Hossain, dean of the Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, to carry out routine duties as the vice chancellor.

The students opposed the move, saying they would not accept any serving in “acting capacity “ on behalf of Prof Shariful Alam, according to a statement issued Sunday evening.